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Route planning for HVACR service teams
UK-based fi eld service management software provider ConnectFSM has the following advice on route planning for solving daily pain points for HVACR service teams
H
VACR service teams live with the same daily pressures. Too many miles between jobs. Last minute callouts that derail the plan.
Customers chasing for ETAs. Engineers arriving late in the day when access is diffi cult. Small ineffi ciencies compound until the schedule feels frag-ile. Do any of the following sound familiar? Excess travel between jobs Backtracking across town wastes time and fuel. Ten extra minutes here and there becomes an hour lost by late afternoon. Unclear priorities When everything looks urgent, engineers take the next job on the list rather than the right job for the route or the SLA. Fixed access windows Sites with tight windows or security procedures can force awkward detours if they are not placed carefully in the day. Skill matching on the fl y A technician arrives and discovers the visit needs a specifi c qualifi cation or experience. The return visit adds travel and administration. Poor visibility of the day Dispatchers cannot see the knock-on eff ects of a change. A single breakdown drops into the plan and the rest of the day slips. Customer uncertainty Without a credible ETA, customers request updates and reschedule. This generates more calls and more pressure on the offi ce.
How better planning helps
Group nearby jobs before sequencing When work is grouped by proximity fi rst, the resulting route is shorter and more predictable. Engineers spend more time on tools and less time on the road.
Anchor the non-negotiables Fix the unmovable items early. Examples include a depot start, a must do job with penal-ties, or a site with limited access. Optimise the rest of the day around those anchors. Respect skills at allocation time Assign jobs to people who are qualifi ed to complete them, then optimise the order. This protects fi rst time fi x and removes unnecessary returns. Give everyone the same picture A simple map view of the route, with a clear sequence and ETAs, reduces questions and helps customers plan their own day.
A simple framework for the day
1. List the work Include postcode, duration, skills, any windows and priority. 2. Choose the anchors Set the start, the must do visit and any fi xed access times. 3. Group by proximity Identify clusters that can be handled in a loop.
SMART HVAC & CONTROLS
4. Sequence within each group Order the stops to avoid backtracking. Keep the anchors in place. 5. Check skills and confl icts Confi rm that each stop matches the assigned engineer and that none of the win-dows clash. 6. Add light buff ers Protect travel realism and common site delays. 7. Publish ETAs and keep notes Share the route with the engineer and confi rm windows with customers. Record any access tips for next time.
Where the tool makes it easier
Manually applying this framework takes time, especially when the day changes. A simple route planner can do the heavy lifting.
Fast input
Type a start point and postcodes for the day. No account is needed. The tool accepts up to four stops with no email, or up to ten with an email provided. Automatic grouping and sequencing The tool reorders the visits to remove backtracking and shortens the distance between stops.
Clear visual route
A map shows both the original order and the optimised sequence. Markers and a simple line make the diff erence obvious at a glance. Immediate ETAs and time saved A short summary shows expected travel time and the saving. Dispatchers can sense check and publish ETAs with confi dence.
What changes in practice
¡ Fewer miles, more work completed Shorter routes free time for an extra visit or reduce the day’s overrun. ¡ Better fi rst time fi x Skill matching before optimisation prevents wasted trips and protects outcomes. ¡ Calmer communications Clear ETAs reduce inbound calls. Customers receive updates they can trust. ¡ Resilience when reality changes When a breakdown arrives at 11am, a quick re run produces a new order with the least disruption.
Final thought
Good planning does not need to be complex. Focus on the pain points that waste time, then use a simple tool to apply the framework quickly and consistently. The goal is a reliable day for engineers and a better experience for customers, achieved with fewer miles and less stress.
https://connectfsm.co.uk/free-route-planner-for- fi eld-service-businesses
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